His family understand routine is key and, as brother-in-law Simon said: "When you upset the routine, that just throws his whole world into chaos."

Spencer struggled and his carers acknowledge an institutionalised setting "wasn't the best thing for him" nor was being looked after in the community by those who he didn't know and who didn't understand his needs.

It also transpired, the family said, that there was a flaw in the paperwork that had led to him being detained, and the section was not valid.

So the authorities came up with a bespoke proposal for in-house care with carers he knew and liked.

Spencer blossomed before their family's world was turned upside down in 2007 - his mum, "his world" was diagnosed with cervical cancer.

Image copyrightMikey KayImage caption
Nicky Kay regularly took her family for walks in the mountains of Snowdonia

A two-year battle followed before Nicky died in 2009 - and once again Spencer's care was thrust into the forefront of the family's mind.

Charlotte stepped forward as a joint carer in a similarly selfless way her mum did - despite concerns.

"I had scepticism about the commitment required of a young women to commit her life to helping her brother," said Dave McDonald, who was in charge of assessing Spencer's care for the North Wales Health Trust.

"It takes a lot of soul to do that."

Charlotte, like mum, knows what makes Spencer tick and what makes him happy - basically, walking.